this is the world today. tax cuts as the government sets out its spending plans before a likely uk general election later this year. nikki haley pulls out of the republican race but stops short of endorsing donald trump. there are fears that the war in sudan could be to the world's largest hunger crisis. one of aviation �*s greatest unsolved mystery.

the british government says it will deliver a series of warnings to israel if it doesn't allow more aid into gaza. lord cameron said there was dreadful suffering inside gaza and pointed out israel is the occupying power. he was speaking in london before meeting benny gantz, a member of israel's were cabinet. the situation is member of israel's were cabinet. tue: situation is very member of israel's were cabinet. tte: situation is very bad member of israel's were cabinet. "tte: situation is very bad because member of israel's were cabinet. tte: situation is very bad because we've been pushing for this aide to get in. we had a whole set of things we've asked the israelis to do. i have to report to your lordship �*s house that the amount of aid in february was about half of january. patients need to run very thin. starting with the meeting i have with benny gantz when he visit the uk. ., ., , ., with benny gantz when he visit the

uk. ., ., uk. that meeting has not happen. of course the offensive _ uk. that meeting has not happen. of course the offensive ronda _ uk. that meeting has not happen. of course the offensive ronda end - uk. that meeting has not happen. of course the offensive ronda end of. course the offensive ronda end of the gaza strip. he said he had asked once again for israel, saying he press them to increase the flow of aid in gaza. opinion polls have suggested mr gantz is far more popular than benjamin netanyahu, who is made clear his opposition to mr gantz�*s initiatives over the last few days. let's talk more about that with gideon levy, who's in tel aviv. columnists for a newspaper there. thank you forjoining us. this is interesting because benny gantz has run for prime minister and here we see mr gantz on the world stage having these meetings. how's that

going down domestically in israel? domestically, it has very little meeting because finally, many gantz has very little influence in the cabinet. he might be beloved by the americans, they might do anything possible for him, but at the end of the day, benjamin netanyahu is a prime minister. another thing that shouldn't be ignored — benny gantz is not a real alternative to netanyahu. don't expect too much for him. when it comes to major questions like continuing this war, like creating a palestinian state, benny gantz is not the kind of hope that the west is looking for. 50. that the west is looking for. so, when we see — that the west is looking for. so, when we see lord cameron today talking about that meeting and saying he's pressed israel to increase the flow of aid into gaza

via benny gantz, how much influence is that will meeting likely to have notjust is that will meeting likely to have not just from is that will meeting likely to have notjust from mr gantz, but is that will meeting likely to have not just from mr gantz, but from is that will meeting likely to have notjust from mr gantz, but from the uk perspective as well? are these things listened to inside the knesset? ., . . things listened to inside the knesset? ., ., ., �* , ., knesset? not at all. i'm sorry for bein: so knesset? not at all. i'm sorry for being so sharp. _ knesset? not at all. i'm sorry for being so sharp, but _ knesset? not at all. i'm sorry for being so sharp, but not - knesset? not at all. i'm sorry for being so sharp, but not at all. . knesset? not at all. i'm sorry for being so sharp, but not at all. asj being so sharp, but not at all. as long as it's all about condemnations and warnings and advices, israel learned to ignore all those. if the west, if the uk, if united states want to see the end of this war, want to see the end of this war, want to see a pause or want to see more humanitarian aid getting into gaza, asked to take measures, not actions. the whole world is talking about israel for the last decades in israel is ignoring the talk of the

world and will continue to ignore as long as it's not a —— followed by action. long as it's not a -- followed by action. ., ., , ., ., action. you say actions, what do you have in mind? _ action. you say actions, what do you have in mind? think— action. you say actions, what do you have in mind? think about _ action. you say actions, what do you have in mind? think about south - have in mind? think about south africa in the _ have in mind? think about south africa in the apartheid _ have in mind? think about south africa in the apartheid times. - have in mind? think about south i africa in the apartheid times. think about russia invading ukraine. the world knows very well what options could be taken against a country which ignores international law or ignores the solutions of an international community. gideon le , international community. gideon levy. thank _ international community. gideon levy. thank you _ international community. gideon levy, thank you for _ international community. gideon levy, thank you forjoining - international community. gideon levy, thank you forjoining us . international community. gideon | levy, thank you forjoining us live from tel aviv. dozens of displaced people a been abducted by six vested fighter in nigeria's northeastern state. it is not yet clear yet how many are missing or when they were taken. some reports say more than 300 people were abducted, most of them women and girls, but it has not

yet been individually confirmed. over the last 15 years, islamist insurgents have carried out frequent attacks and mass abductions in northeast nigerians, despising 2 million. our correspondent in abuja explain more. million. our correspondent in abu'a explain mowed million. our correspondent in abu'a explain neared explain more. foco her rahm is the l-rou that explain more. foco her rahm is the groun that has _ explain more. foco her rahm is the group that has been _ explain more. foco her rahm is the group that has been carrying - explain more. foco her rahm is the group that has been carrying out. group that has been carrying out activities in the northeast —— boko haram. they have been operating for over a decade. almost two decades. they've killed more than 40,000 people within this period. and over 2 million people have been displaced. in fact, the state governor had earlier last week said boko haram has been disputed. this has been a response to that statement, because he said nearly 90% of boko haram activities have been brought under control. with

this new development, it seems the group is active in the region. still to come here _ group is active in the region. still to come here - _ group is active in the region. still to come here — australian police charged a man with assault after this video emerged of children restrained with cable ties. one of aviation's greatest unsolved mysteries — ten years since malaysia airlines's flight mh370 disappeared. across the uk, this is the world today. then is 18 and he applied for his test last year and was given date injuly date in july this date injuly this year. i'v e i've waited for this the whole time. i've waited for this the whole time. i got school, i've got work. especially my mum as well, she's a single mother. it's difficult for her. she has to change her schedule around me. she has to change her

schedule around me. martin knows the intact, impact. they are very nervous, so that has a direct_ they are very nervous, so that has a direct impact— they are very nervous, so that has a direct impact on them going to test. they know_ direct impact on them going to test. they know full well if they do unfortunately failed that test, they have to _ unfortunately failed that test, they have to wait another 22—23 weeks. for a _ have to wait another 22—23 weeks. for a feel — have to wait another 22—23 weeks. for a fee, apps like this one will alert learners to the next available text wherever it may be in the country. but it can mean young drivers pass their tests without really having anything like enough practical experience on the roads. for more stories from across the uk, headed _ for more stories from across the uk, headed to _ for more stories from across the uk, headed to the — for more stories from across the uk, headed to the bbc's _ for more stories from across the uk, headed to the bbc's website. - you're life would bbc news. a man has been charged with aggravated assault for using cable ties to tie up three young children. this videos show locals shouting at demanding he will the children after the third, an eight—year—old,

managed to run away. it's thought the children had been swimming in a pool without permission. addressing the incident, here is the premier of western australia. t the incident, here is the premier of western australia.— western australia. i think anyone who saw the _ western australia. i think anyone who saw the video _ western australia. i think anyone who saw the video would - western australia. i think anyone who saw the video would have . western australia. i think anyone i who saw the video would have found it confronting and disturbing, and i understand it raises very strong emotions and everybody in the community. but i urge everyone, let the police get on and do theirjob. let thejustice process the police get on and do theirjob. let the justice process take place. let's get more with phil mercer. we're piecing together what we think happened _ we're piecing together what we think happened in this seaside community popular— happened in this seaside community popular with tourists. in western australia, — popular with tourists. in western australia, about 2000 km north of the state _ australia, about 2000 km north of the state capital perth. we understand the police received a phone _ understand the police received a phone call from a neighbour who reported — phone call from a neighbour who reported children playing in a pool in a vacant — reported children playing in a pool in a vacant property. ten minutes

later, _ in a vacant property. ten minutes later, the — in a vacant property. ten minutes later, the police received another phone _ later, the police received another phone call— later, the police received another phone call from another man who said he had _ phone call from another man who said he had restrained three children for allegedly— he had restrained three children for allegedly causing damage. officers found _ allegedly causing damage. officers found a _ allegedly causing damage. officers found a six—year—old girl and a seven—year—old boy who were restrained _ seven—year—old boy who were restrained with cable ties. video images — restrained with cable ties. video images circulating on social media have shown three indigenous youngsters shackled in this way. a 45—year—old man has been charged with three — 45—year—old man has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault — with three counts of aggravated assault. he has been granted bail and is _ assault. he has been granted bail and is due — assault. he has been granted bail and is due to appear in court at a later— and is due to appear in court at a later date — and is due to appear in court at a later date-— later date. phil mercer. in south korea, a dispute _ later date. phil mercer. in south korea, a dispute between - later date. phil mercer. in south. korea, a dispute between doctors later date. phil mercer. in south - korea, a dispute between doctors and the government has become increasingly divisive. the government is pressing ahead with his vow to suspend the licenses of thousands of doctors who ignore its repeated demands to end the collective walk—outs. they're locked in a standoff over staff shortages.

doctors argue a plan won't deal with the fundamental flaws in the system. but the government is not backing down, saying more doctors need to be trained. it has accused medics of putting patients' lives at risk. he is the south korean president. translation: the is the south korean president. translation: ., ., , ., translation: the government has to res-ond translation: the government has to re5pond sternly _ translation: the government has to respond sternly to _ translation: the government has to respond sternly to illegal _ respond sternly to illegal collective action that holds people's like hostage. the reason the government gives is to protect people _ the government gives is to protect people 's_ the government gives is to protect people 's health and lives. therefore, doctors' freedoms and rights _ therefore, doctors' freedoms and rights come with responsibility. the le-al rights come with responsibility. the legal action that violates people's lives is _ legal action that violates people's lives is unacceptable. since the strike began, about 9000 trainee doctors, 70% of the total, i walked out. many say the issues, including poor pay and working conditions, should be dealt with

first. from seoul, jean mackenzie explained the background of the standoff. . ., explained the background of the standoff. ,, ., , ., standoff. starting next year, the government _ standoff. starting next year, the government wants _ standoff. starting next year, the government wants to _ standoff. starting next year, the government wants to admit - standoff. starting next year, the i government wants to admit 2,000 standoff. starting next year, the - government wants to admit 2,000 more students each year. this is is to address a doctor shortage, because career populations are ageing rapidly. but the doctors argue that more doctors won't necessarily address these shortages. there are much more fun to mental flaws address these shortages. there are much more fun to mentalflaws in much more fun to mental flaws in the system. they say that some areas of medicine are overheated, they're too competitive. the doctors are choosing to enter a more lucrative field. by increasing the number of doctors, you would just increase the competition in these already competitive areas.— competition in these already competitive areas. competition in these already com -etitive areas. ., competitive areas. here in the uk, a l-rou of competitive areas. here in the uk, a group of about _ competitive areas. here in the uk, a group of about 70 — competitive areas. here in the uk, a group of about 70 health _ competitive areas. here in the uk, a group of about 70 health care - group of about 70 health care workers are suing the nhs and others after being left with long covid. the staff from england wales went to the high court today for permission to have their cases heard together.

they say that they weren't properly protected at work and now have life—changing disabilities. catherine burns reports. remember when we did this every week? up and down the country, coming out to clap for carers as we were in the grip of the pandemic. we were called heroes, you know? every thursday night, people were out clapping and banging and, you know, from the prime minister to the royal family. but now we just feel a little bit abandoned. nurse rachel hext isjoining together with almost 70 other health workers, including peter easton and julie taylor. when the pandemic hit, i was clinical leader in emergency theatres. my health was amazing. i would regularly run 10ks, half marathons. i was community nursing. that meant taking care of people that were end—of—life care, - covid—positive patients included. i was really afraid and i was categorically told, as long as you wash your hands,

you'll be ok. peter says long covid has left him disabled. likejulie and rachel, he's convinced he was infected at work. the pain, especially when i go to bed at night, is horrendous. i do have brain fog, - i'm unable to word—find and coherently speak. so, on top of dealing with a disability, now i have to deal with the loss of my career as well. she's never managed to get back to work properly and is still off sick. i subsequently have long covid... julie, like peter, has a newjob, but thinks her career will never recover. she's started a long covid podcast to help others. the health workers are suing some nhs trusts in england, health boards in wales and other health employers. the case is effectively that the defendants didn't provide adequate ppe, or any at all, and that the guidance provided by public health england was negligent and they should not

have followed it. these people really have been abandoned and they are really struggling to fight to get anything. the department of health has given us this statement. we were not protected whilst working on the front line - whilst doing ourjobs. an apology, that's the first thing. it's just someone to take some responsibility. i'm 36, i've got a family to raise. i had 30 years of working life ahead of me and now i don't. rachel, peter and julie's employers don't want to comment because of the legal action, but they do say the health and and well—being of staff is a priority. catherine burns, bbc news. in 2014, mh370 disappeared with 239

passengers and crew on board. it is even now one of aviation's greatest unsolved mysteries. ten years on, the bbc has made a documentary that focuses on new technology which may finally help locate the missing aircraft. i'm pleased to say that the director of that documentary is with me. peter, thank you for joining me. he said it's still one of aviation's biggest mysteries because when you look at the mapping that we have, the incredibly sophisticated instruments, at the time, people find it astonishing that an aeroplane could disappear like that. bind that an aeroplane could disappear like that. �* ., �* , , like that. and i think it's still astonishing. _ like that. and i think it's still astonishing. the _ like that. and i think it's still astonishing. the entire - like that. and | think it's still| astonishing. the entire time, like that. and i think it's still- astonishing. the entire time, we've been continuing the surprise that in the 21st century, a huge aircraft of 239 people on board could complete finish. , ., , 239 people on board could complete finish. , . , , ., 239 people on board could complete finish. , , ., , , finish. over the years, small bits have been _ finish. over the years, small bits have been found, _ finish. over the years, small bits have been found, so _ finish. over the years, small bits have been found, so what's - finish. over the years, small bits have been found, so what's the i finish. over the years, small bits . have been found, so what's the best theory now is what happened? tt’s theory now is what happened? it's re theory now is what happened? tt�*s pretty clear to us and to the

investigation team and all the credible experts involved in mh370 that it ended up about seven hours and several thousand miles from where it should've been somewhere in the southern indian ocean off the of australia. that's where the wreckage has been found. but it is a vast ocean. ~ has been found. but it is a vast ocean. . , ocean. we saw while the recovery efforts were _ ocean. we saw while the recovery efforts were going _ ocean. we saw while the recovery efforts were going on, _ ocean. we saw while the recovery efforts were going on, just - ocean. we saw while the recovery efforts were going on, just how. ocean. we saw while the recovery i efforts were going on, just how long that took. efforts were going on, 'ust how long that took. , , , , ., , that took. they spent three years almost trying _ that took. they spent three years almost trying to _ that took. they spent three years almost trying to look _ that took. they spent three years almost trying to look for - that took. they spent three years almost trying to look for the - that took. they spent three years i almost trying to look for the plane. they didn't find it. they found bits of wreckage that floated ashore off the coast of africa. the plane itself is not a big aircraft in comparison to the ocean. you itself is not a big aircraft in comparison to the ocean. you spent a lonl time comparison to the ocean. you spent a longtime on — comparison to the ocean. you spent a long time on this _ comparison to the ocean. you spent a long time on this documentary - comparison to the ocean. you spent a long time on this documentary and i long time on this documentary and you've discovered some things that could potentially help.— you've discovered some things that could potentially help. we've spoken to some people _ could potentially help. we've spoken to some people have _ could potentially help. we've spoken to some people have discovered - could potentially help. we've spoken. to some people have discovered some things that could potentially help, including an epidemic and an engineer in germany called richard offeri who is working with low

powered radio signals —— richard godfrey. it's untested, it's very pioneering and experimental. now the university of liverpool are doing a big study to see if richard's work is going to help. t5 big study to see if richard's work is going to help-— is going to help. is that the kind of thing that _ is going to help. is that the kind of thing that is _ is going to help. is that the kind of thing that is easily _ is going to help. is that the kindj of thing that is easily deployed? you've got so many hundreds of families here who are waiting for help and they would support anything like this. but it's been an expensive business, hasn't it? is that likely to be trialed? university of liverpool team have suggested it will take about six months to come to conclusion to whether this technology is viable and useful. if it is, the search area that this academic richard offeri has suggested is very small and comparison. i'm sure that will take into account. tt and comparison. i'm sure that will take into account.— take into account. it must've been at times and _

take into account. it must've been at times and emotional _ take into account. it must've been at times and emotional project - take into account. it must've been at times and emotional project to | at times and emotional project to work on as well because those families have really struggled and strive for closure that they haven't really got. strive for closure that they haven't reall lot. , ., �* ., ., , really got. they haven't got any closure. their _ really got. they haven't got any closure. their resilience - really got. they haven't got any closure. their resilience is - closure. their resilience is amazing. the families have been pushing for ten years and refusing to let this slide.— to let this slide. could happen alain? to let this slide. could happen again? i'm — to let this slide. could happen again? i'm not _ to let this slide. could happen again? i'm not an _ to let this slide. could happen again? i'm not an aviation - to let this slide. could happen - again? i'm not an aviation expert, but all the — again? i'm not an aviation expert, but all the indications _ again? i'm not an aviation expert, but all the indications are - again? i'm not an aviation expert, but all the indications are there i but all the indications are there at that it could. that's why we need to find the wreckage of the plane, the fuselage of the black box and that will hopefully reveal what really happened to the plane to make sure it doesn't happen again.— it doesn't happen again. that's the ke , it's it doesn't happen again. that's the key. it's finding — it doesn't happen again. that's the key, it's finding out _ it doesn't happen again. that's the key, it's finding out that _ key, it's finding out that motivation. we still don't know what happened in the cockpit, that would be key. happened in the cockpit, that would be ke . . , ,., , , happened in the cockpit, that would be key. absolutely, we put forward certain theories _ be key. absolutely, we put forward certain theories which _ be key. absolutely, we put forward certain theories which come - be key. absolutely, we put forward certain theories which come from l certain theories which come from credible and experienced sources in the film, but no one knows. not until you find the plane.-

the film, but no one knows. not until you find the plane. untilyou find the plane. peter, i really appreciate _ untilyou find the plane. peter, i really appreciate it. _ untilyou find the plane. peter, i really appreciate it. it _ untilyou find the plane. peter, i really appreciate it. it is, - untilyou find the plane. peter, i really appreciate it. it is, as - untilyou find the plane. peter, i really appreciate it. it is, as you| really appreciate it. it is, as you say, a fascinating topic. i think i have everything gathered together ten years on will be really insightful, so thank you very much. thanks forjoining us, peter gauvain. director of that documentary. if you're watching in the uk and want to know more about the uk and want to know more about the people are trying to solve this mystery and hear from some of those families as well, you can watch white plains vantage. —— white plains vanish. you're live with bbc news. the number of independent record shops has hit a ten—year high with 461 outlets across the uk. that is according to research from a group

that represents music retailers. they found more of us are returning to vinyl, demand has increased for the 16 year in a row. 6.5 million have been sold. let's speak to stephen free, a vinyl shop owner and beautiful bakewell and derbyshire. beautiful ba kewell and derbyshire. welcome beautiful bakewell and derbyshire. welcome to the programme. they for joining us. trio welcome to the programme. they for “oininl us. ., , welcome to the programme. they for joining us-_ i— welcome to the programme. they for joining us-_ i feel- welcome to the programme. they for joining us._ i feel like - joining us. no problem. ifeel like we've been _ joining us. no problem. ifeel like we've been the _ joining us. no problem. ifeel like we've been the before, _ joining us. no problem. ifeel like we've been the before, because l joining us. no problem. i feel like. we've been the before, because we see cds and discs, all kinds of different mp3 players. a people still retain the slow vinyl. why is that? ., ., , still retain the slow vinyl. why is that? ., ., y , , that? -- the love of vinyl. i guess it's because _ that? -- the love of vinyl. i guess it's because you _ that? -- the love of vinyl. i guess it's because you can _ that? -- the love of vinyl. i guess it's because you can have - it's because you can have something that becomes yours and you can keep it for 40—50— that becomes yours and you can keep it for 40-50- 60 that becomes yours and you can keep it for 40—50— 60 years. some of these records now are getting close to being antique, so ijust think people in this world now where everything is there a way,

everything is there a way, everything is there a way, everything is very easy, just on something and then you got all the artwork. it'sjust something and then you got all the artwork. it's just a something and then you got all the artwork. it'sjust a nice something and then you got all the artwork. it's just a nice thing to have. artwork. it's 'ust a nice thing to have.~ . artwork. it's 'ust a nice thing to have. . ., ., artwork. it's 'ust a nice thing to have. . . ., ., ., have. what about the sound of a vin l have. what about the sound of a vinyl record? _ have. what about the sound of a vinyl record? because _ have. what about the sound of a vinyl record? because purists. have. what about the sound of a | vinyl record? because purists say that it vinyl record? because purists say thatitis vinyl record? because purists say that it is a better thing to listen to. t that it is a better thing to listen to. ., that it is a better thing to listen to. ,, ,., �* , that it is a better thing to listen to. ,, �* , . that it is a better thing to listen to. �*, . ., ., to. i think so. it's much more warm. if we to. i think so. it's much more warm. if we both — to. i think so. it's much more warm. if we both bought _ to. i think so. it's much more warm. if we both bought a _ to. i think so. it's much more warm. if we both bought a record at - to. i think so. it's much more warm. if we both bought a record at the - if we both bought a record at the same time and played them in different parts of the country or on different parts of the country or on different turntables, it was sound different. it becomes very, very personal. you got all the sort of different dynamics of your house, the size, and also wherever you play it on, itjust becomes a very personal thing. fits it on, itjust becomes a very personal thing.— it on, itjust becomes a very personal thing. it on, itjust becomes a very ilersonalthin. a personal thing. as you said as well, the fact that — personal thing. as you said as well, the fact that people _ personal thing. as you said as well, the fact that people can _ personal thing. as you said as well, the fact that people can hold - the fact that people can hold onto these things, they still have a quality where they put in a loft or a garage. they're treasured, aren't

they, in a way that other formats just don't seem to be? nobody talks lovingly about their cd collection in the same way, do they? some --eole in the same way, do they? some people do. _ in the same way, do they? some people do. but — in the same way, do they? some people do, but not _ in the same way, do they? some people do, but not many! - in the same way, do they? some - people do, but not many! laughter you alwa s people do, but not many! laughter you always remember— people do, but not many! laughter you always remember where - people do, but not many! laughter you always remember where and - people do, but not many! laughter l you always remember where and when you bought your first record, but you bought your first record, but you probably don't remember too much about the first download you ever made. it's a total different experience.— made. it's a total different experience. made. it's a total different ex-erience. . . , experience. what was your first vin l experience. what was your first vinyl record? — experience. what was your first vinyl record? it _ experience. what was your first vinyl record? it was... - experience. what was your first vinyl record? it was... the - experience. what was your first vinyl record? it was... the first| vinyl record? it was... the first album i bought _ vinyl record? it was... the first album i bought was _ vinyl record? it was... the first album i bought was jeff - vinyl record? it was... the first. album i bought was jeff wayne's vinyl record? it was... the first - album i bought was jeff wayne's out of the blue. finley z, jailbreak. —— thin lizzy. i remember sitting on the bus back home looking at these things. the bus back home looking at these thins. ., �* , the bus back home looking at these thins. . �*, ., , the bus back home looking at these thints. ., �*, ., , . , g things. that's really incredible. my first was karma _ things. that's really incredible. my first was karma chameleon -

things. that's really incredible. my first was karma chameleon went i first was karma chameleon went by boy george. i had that when i was about six. these are the things you remember, don't you, in a way you just don't with other things? absolutely. d0 just don't with other things? absolutely-— just don't with other things? absolutely. just don't with other things? absolutel . , ., ,, ., , absolutely. do you think that vinyl will 'ust absolutely. do you think that vinyl willjust continue _ absolutely. do you think that vinyl willjust continue now? _ absolutely. do you think that vinyl willjust continue now? do - absolutely. do you think that vinyl willjust continue now? do you - absolutely. do you think that vinyl. willjust continue now? do you think we'll carry on embracing it and it willjust have that place in the music library that won't go? t willjust have that place in the music library that won't go? i think so, music library that won't go? i think so. because _ music library that won't go? i think so, because it's _ music library that won't go? i think so, because it's about _ music library that won't go? i think so, because it's about building - music library that won't go? i think so, because it's about building up. music library that won't go? i think| so, because it's about building up a collection. you know, as you buy more and more records, they will have more and more residents with your life experiences and relationships of the time. did you buy a record after you got married or the birth of a child? when people bring the collections for me to buy off them... bring the collections for me to buy off them- - -— bring the collections for me to buy offthem... . . ., , ., off them. .. and all the memories are 'ust off them. .. and all the memories are just there. — off them. .. and all the memories are just there, stephen. _ off them. .. and all the memories are just there, stephen. pleasure - off them. .. and all the memories are just there, stephen. pleasure to - just there, stephen. pleasure to talk to you. thank you so much. stay

with us here on bbc news. christian fraser is up next with the context, looking at the uk budget. lots to come, so don't go away. hello there. wednesday started off with quite extensive mist and fog, some of which was dense. this weather watcher picture shows the low cloud and fog trapped underneath what we call a temperature inversion with clear blue, sunny skies above. but on the whole, west was best for sunshine. turned out to be a lovely day here in the isle of arran. now, during this evening and overnight, we are, i think, going to see fog patches reform. some of that will become dense, visibility down to 100 metres. visibility down to 100 metres, so it might be worth allowing a little bit of extra time for any morning travel you might have into thursday morning. there'll be a few patches of rural frost around as well, so mist and fog to start the day, that should tend to lift and clear. then we're looking at

a lot of dry weather. ok, there could be one or two showers for england and wales, but hardly any of these. so, the vast majority of us having a dry day with the best of the sunshine, likely once again across western areas of the uk. temperatures by and large close to average for the time of year, but a little below average for east scotland and northeast england given the onshore winds coming across the chilly north sea. the high pressure to our northeast, low pressure to our southwest got a bit closer on friday, low pressure to our southwest got and so it's going to get a little bit windier. now, on the whole, it's going to be a quieter day, less mist and fog to start off the day. with the winds coming in from an easterly direction, the uk's only named wind, the helm wind will be blowing across great cross fell into cumbria and over into the west of high ground. it will be quite a gusty day with gusts reaching into the 40s , maybe low 50s of miles an hour. it'll continue to be quite chilly for east scotland and northeast england. on into the weekend, the low pressure to our south starts to throw bands of rain northwards across the uk, so there will be rain at times — won't be raining all weekend,

butjust rain at times. saturday sees the first band of rain then push across england. then push across england and wales reach northern ireland. late in the day, eastern scotland will have frequent showers so be quite a wet day for the eastern mountains, and the grampians. probably the best ot the dry and bright weather will be across western scotland where we should stay with some sunny spells. temperatures for many of us, quite close to average. sunday sees some further outbreaks of rain moving generally northwards and westwards across the uk, perhaps something a bit driver and brighter at times working in towards the south and east and temperatures still by and large close to average, but a bit below for east scotland and northeast england. bye for now.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. as conservatives, we believe that if we bring down the tax burden, that will fire up the economy, create morejobs, more money for public services like the nhs. smiling as the ship goes down, the chuckle brothers of decline, dreaming of santa monica, or maybe just a quiet life in surrey, not having to self—fund his election. the economy has been a flatlining, and, as far as the politics is concerned, the conservatives find their opinion poll ratings in the gutter. so, no chancellor could hope in one budget to turn both of those things around.

the last spring budget before a general election. another cut in national insurance and a surprise change to child benefit for middle earners. but was this the gamechanger conservative backbenchers had demanded? over the next hour, we'll do the politics and the economics does it change anything about when the next election will be held and who'll win it? meanwhile, in the us... nikki haley pulls out of the race for the republican nomination, which means it will be the contest two thirds of the coutry said they didn't want. biden v trump. good evening. for british chancellorjeremy hunt, this was the last budget before the election. it didn't quite feel like the launch pad for an immediate campaign. the centrepiece of the budget, a widely touted 2p cut in national insurance rates, which, together with a similar cut introduced in january,

will save the average worker about £75.